Bentley claims energy first for Crewe factory

The award of the new benchmark – which has only been in existence for a few months – was the result of an audit carried out by independent certification and verification authority, Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA). To achieve the standard, Bentley – more often associated with gas-guzzling super cars – had to demonstrate improved energy performance, including energy efficiency, use, and consumption leading to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy costs, and other related environmental impacts. Bentley said that significant proportion of the £1billion invested in the historic Pyms Lane site since the purchase by Volkswagen in 1998 had been devoted to environmental improvements. Even though car production increased ten-fold between 2002 and 2007, there has been no commensurate increase in environmental impact. A series of initiatives has included improved heating and lighting, better controlled boiler and compressed air systems, greater insulation and more efficient variable speed drives. Between 2000 and 2010 the energy used on site for each car produced was reduced by two thirds, and by 14% for the overall site. This has delivered savings of 230GWh of energy – enough to power 11,500 houses for a year. Bentley is also reducing the impact of its plant on the environment. The company's waste recovery and recycling strategy is currently achieving a recycling rate of 77%, quickly approaching its target of 80% recycling. Water use is also being reduced - a major part of the body coating process, water use has been halved over the past decade with plans to improve this performance still further